Haverstraw nonprofit to help families with fruits and vegetables

Families in need in Rockland County will have more opportunities to eat fresh fruits and vegetables thanks to the new initiative, called “Produce the Produce,” just launched by the Catholic Community Services of Rockland.

The organization has been helping families and individuals in need with its pantry.

A couple of years ago, the organization converted its backyard into a produce garden, calling it “Garden of Love.”

More than 6,000 pounds of vegetables produced in the garden in 2012 were successfully distributed to those local families who are enrolled in the organization’s food pantry program.

Call 845-942-5791 to learn more and to participate in “Produce the Produce.”

The Rev. Arthur Mastrolia of St. Paul’s in Congers, who is chairman of the Catholic Community Services board, and Martha Robles, executive director of Catholic Community Services of Rockland, examine fruits and vegetables on Saturday at the organization’s produce garden at 78 Hudson Ave. in Haverstraw. Photo by John Eccleston

Akiko Matsuda has been a reporter with The Journal News since August 2005, covering the communities of North Rockland, including the towns of Haverstraw and Stony Point and the villages of Haverstraw, West Haverstraw and Pomona. Before that, she covered local governments in upstate New York and Connecticut. A Japanese native, she was a reporter and news anchor for a TV station in Sapporo, covering various beats, including courts, politics and the environment.